More detail on this person: Ocala - James "Jim" W. Marsh, 82, joined the Lord in Heaven on
Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Jim was born on June 15, 1929 in Greenville, MI. He grew up in Grand
Rapids, graduating high school and attended junior college there for a short time until he joined
the United States Army on July 23, 1955. Jim had a distinguished military career as an Army
operations officer, battalion adjutant, top-notch aviator, and instructor pilot in both rotary and
fixed wing aircraft. He retired from the Army after 21 years, having served in the Korean War and
two terms in Vietnam. Flying as an EVAC helicopter pilot, Jim was responsible for saving the lives
of hundreds of our brave soldiers. Jim was a Bronze Medal recipient. In his civilian years, he
continued to fly helicopters in various capacities including emergency air lift operations for local
hospitals. Jim acquired skills as a golfer while serving in the Military. After retiring as a pilot,
he spent the remainder of his working life as a golf professional at clubs in Florida and Georgia,
taking pride in his position as assistant pro at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando. His skills
as a golf instructor were well known as was his skill as a golf club maker and repairman. He
continued his formal education and obtained a bachelor of Business Administration from Florida
Atlantic University with a major in Marketing. Jim leaves his beautiful and devoted wife Florence,
having enjoyed 42 years of a loving marriage. He also leaves five children: Robert, a long-time PGA
pro in Alabama; Katheryn, a talented and well known artist in St. Augustine, FL; Stephen, a postal
worker and member of a volunteer mountain rescue team in California; JoEllen, a special needs
teaching paraprofessional in Seminole County, FL; Tracy, a print operator and an inspiration to her
family in Crawfordville, FL; all of whom loved their father. He also leaves six devoted
grandchildren: Zebulon, Joshua, Donavon, Kelsey, Katelynn, and Kourtney, and six loving
great-grandchildren: Alexandria, Jordynn, Allyssa, Kevin, Sarah, and Connor. Also, nieces and
nephews, with a loving mention of his dear nieces Kimberly and Michele. His extended family loved
him and will dearly miss him. Jim is survived by his brother Arno, a jazz tenor saxophonist of
considerable notoriety of whom he greatly admired. Memorial services will be held Sunday, March 25th
at 2:00 p.m. at Wings of Faith Fellowship, 5066 SE 64th Ave. Rd., Ocala, FL 34472. Memorial
contributions can be made to Shands Cancer Center at UF, P.O. Box 100385, Gainesville, FL
32610.
Published in Ocala Star-Banner from March 23 to March 24, 2012
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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